South Texas resident first of 2017 to contract Zika virus from local mosquito

The Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District says preventing mosquito bites is the most important step in preventing the spread of the Zika virus. They've got five tips on how to prevent just that.
Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times

Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times File This Aedes aegypti mosquito is one of two that was discovered at collection sites by city vector control workers on March 26. The city of Corpus Christi and Nueces County have taken differing approaches to prevent an outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases like the Zika virus.(Photo: Rachel Denny Clow)

State officials have determined a case of Zika virus may have originated from a mosquito bite the person received in South Texas.

The case is the first that appears to have been transmitted by a Texas-area mosquito in 2017.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services found that a Hidalgo County resident who previously had a Zika infection was most likely infected in Texas because the person hasn't traveled outside the area recently, according to a department news release.

The department theorizes the infection transmitted by a mosquito bite in the area sometime in the last few months.

Additional testing done at the recommendation of the department led to the identification of this Zika case, the release states. A majority of Zika testing is conducted on pregnant women and people that exhibit Zika symptoms in six South Texas counties.

A graphic showing how Zika virus spreads in the U.S. and its symptoms.(Photo: USA Today Network)

"There is no evidence of ongoing Zika transmission in the state at this time, but public health officials are continuing to conduct human and mosquito surveillance to find any future Zika infections as early as possible," the release stated.

The first confirmed case of Zika virus in Nueces County was announced in late June. The case was travel-rated and the mother and newborn have not exhibited any symptoms yet, officials said.

Zika virus symptoms include rash, fever, joint paint and eye redness.

In these counties, officials have increased mosquito control and surveillance and go door-to-door to share information about Zika and work to ensure vulnerable citizens, like pregnant women or those with symptoms, undergo testing.

Texas previously had six locally-transmitted cases of Zika in Brownsville in November and December 2016, according to the release.